In the seventeenth year of Hongzhi, a forty-seven-year-old middle-aged loser transmigrates into the body of a three-year-old orphan.
His adoptive mother, Chen Xiuniang, has just lost her husband, yet she takes in five unwanted children. The whole village says she's crazy.
He's the fifth, the youngest, skinniest, and least noticeable.
But after pretending to be mute for half his life, the first thing he says is: “From now on, I'll take care of you.”
At four, he memorizes the Four Books. At five, he studies under a renowned teacher. At seven, he passes the county-level exam. At twelve, he passes the provincial exam. At sixteen, he becomes the top scholar.
Top scholar in the civil exams and top scholar in the military exams, he claims both honors for himself.
He takes his eldest brother to the frontier, sends his second sister to work at a medical clinic, gets his third brother into the Ministry of Revenue, and helps his fourth sister conquer the world of business.
Five orphans, five legends.
In the end, he kneels before the Golden Throne: “Your subject petitions that my adoptive mother, Lady Chen, be granted the title of Commandery Lady.”
This is the road to the heavens for five children from humble beginnings.
